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Family Drama Because Why Else? Invite Related.

Back story: DH's parents (we'll call them Ann and Bob) married 40 years happiest couple ever blah blah blah. Their son up in Ohio has his first child so Ann travels there to help for two weeks. Bob can't go because he owns his own business and it would be too hard wah wah wah. Ann flies back home two weeks later, Bob picks her up from the airport, drives home and then leaves her in the driveway and tells her he moved out and wants a divorce. NONE OF US SAW THIS COMING. We live 5 minutes from them. So worst divorce ever mainly because while they were very happy, Ann was the one who did everything. She worked full time job and a part time job while he sat in his recliner and complained about how his business was in the can. But she did it because she loved him. Word of advice, if you ever struggle wondering if you should get divorced or stay married for the children, just get divorced because it is WAY harder on the kids when they are in their 30's. I digress, Ann becomes a total lunatic and is basically Bob's stalker that past 5 years. She has finally gotten over it for the most part, Bob has moved to another state far away from us and we rarely hear from him. We know that he is downtrodden and living a terrible life for himself wah wah wah.

Fast forward to yesterday night. Out of nowhere the entire child side of the family (myself, husband, BIL and SIL) get a friend request from Bob on Facebook. He's looking mighty fine with a new lady on his arm telling the world how great he is doing since he met the love of his life. HOLY CRAP YA'LL. This is after 2 months ago when we asked him to come visit and he said he lived in a tin can trailer and only showered 2x a week in a truck stop and had stray dogs to feed that couldn't go on without his help. If Ann sees this she will lose it. 

We were up in the air about inviting Bob to our renewal. He is DH's father but he also "was" financially destitute and very touchy about it. We knew he'd whine and cry and me oh my over it if we invited him and he couldn't come. It would be all about him. But now we are in fear he will come and bring this woman with him. And it will literally break Ann. Ann is everything to us. She is our saving grace and one of the most important people in our life. She home schools my child, takes care of her dying mother, is always available to do anything for any of us at a moments notice and is in general just the best mother ever. I don't want to see her hurt in person. If she goes digging and finds something that is her own problem. But to come face to face with it is something else.

So can we just not invite Bob? Obviously he knows about it now that he is on Facebook because we all talk about it and I know he reads my blog. What is the etiquette for this messed up situation?
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Re: Family Drama Because Why Else? Invite Related.

  • You don't have to invite anyone you don't want to have there. Just knowing about your renewal entitles him to nothing. Hell, the lady drying her nails next to me at the salon saw my ring and asked about all my wedding plans - that doesn't mean I have to invite her.

    Actions have consequences. His shitty actions alienated a lot of people. Showing up on Facebook doesn't undo that.

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  • AddieCakeAddieCake member
    10000 Comments 500 Love Its Fourth Anniversary 25 Answers
    edited July 2014
    You and your husband are not obligated to invite him, no. It sounds like there will be drama whether you do or don't, so you have to decide which is the lesser of 2 evils here.
    What did you think would happen if you walked up to a group of internet strangers and told them to get shoehorned by their lady doc?~StageManager14
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  • SBminiSBmini member
    500 Love Its 1000 Comments Second Anniversary Name Dropper
    I agree about letting this settle, but to answer your first question- no, you don't have to invite him. If he isn't in your life and it may really upset someone who is very close to you- I would let sleeping dogs lay. If he wants to whine about not getting an invite that's his business. You can't disappear from a family, ripping apart as you leave, and then expect everything to just be OK.
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  • I like that Miley girl she seems smart ;)  Okay I will absolutely let things just rest. If it comes up we'll just use a simple "nothing has been decided as of yet" approach. 

    Sorry if I sounded desperate but moments like that make you feel that way. It's a little scary almost.
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  • I agree with the PPs. You don't have to invite him.

    I'd definitely wait until the last minute to make the decision. FI screwed this up with his cousin and is still dealing with the fallout. Given what you've said about this guy, who knows what will happen in 10 months.
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